Biologist Bars Bulldozers, Says Site's A Wetland

MERRITT ISLAND — An Army Corps of Engineers biologist halted a land-clearing operation on north Merritt Island Wednesday because she said it was destroying a ''high quality'' wetland.

The approximately 25 acres next to the Ridge Manor subdivision just south of State Road 528 are under development by their owner, Ed Griffis. He told state officials he was clearing out trees, muck and thickets and intended to fill the area with cured scallop shells.

Griffis, who would not talk to reporters, owns another plot of land next to the 25 acres that is used as a landfill for treating scallop shells so they no longer stink.

Corps of engineers biologist Irene Sadowski inspected the site Tuesday after a nearby homeowner reported the land-clearing.

Sadowski ordered the work stopped Wednesday, saying the approximately two acres of land that have been cleared and filled with scallop shells were ''high quality'' wetlands whose loss would ''ultimately be a detriment to the environment.''

Sadowski said the area is classified a wetland because of its plant types. A field inspector for the state Department of Environmental Regulation also toured the site Wednesday. Inspector Marc Ady said he has asked Griffis to test soil at five sites on the property before the department will rule on whether the land is within its jurisdiction.

Griffis did not apply for either DER or corps of engineers permits before he started the project although he has had previous projects approved by both agencies, officials at the agencies said.

Neighbors in the Ridge Manor subdivision became concerned about the development when it began on March 4.

''They were in there 24 hours a day at first, tearing down trees and the hammocks,'' said Mike Grant, whose back yard fronts the project.

Grant, a manager at RCA at Partick Air Force Base, initiated the inspection of the site. He contacted county officials who eventually called in the DER and corps of engineers.

According to county records, the land is zoned for general use, a catchall zoning classification that usually is changed when the property owner decides what he wants to use the land for.

Wayne Kohout, director of the county code enforcement office, said Wednesday that inspectors were looking into the development but had not decided if it was compatible with the current zoning classification.

Ady said Griffis has a 1984 permit for fill work on a small, adjacent piece of property classified as a wetland. To obtain that permit, Griffis had to return as much land to wetland category as the work destroyed.

''Basically, there was no net loss of wetlands on the previous site because of his mitigation plan. That appears to be why he was granted the earlier permit,'' Ady said.

Sadowski said she will recommend the land be restored to its original state with all the fill removed and new plants set in the soil, but Griffis can appeal that recommendation.

Ady said several things could happen when the DER decides if a violation has occurred. Griffis could be subject to a fine, or restorative work, or could be permitted to continue the development.